Public representatives show their support for local farmers

FeaturedIt’s Showtime! Pictured at the launch of the Elphin Agricultural Show at An Bóthar Rua in Elphin on Thursday were Deputy Eugene Murphy, Cllr. Valerie Beirne and Cllr. Joe Murphy.

Local public representatives have given their backing to local agriculture at a time when Brexit and beef prices are the issues dominating the headlines.

At the recent launch of the Elphin Agricultural Show, there was support from all sectors including local public representatives, representatives of cattle societies, Roscommon Show, and the Beef Plan Movement.

Elphin County Councillor Valerie Beirne praised the organisers including hard-working committee and said it was great to see such a big amount of prize money on offer. Highlighting the recent efforts of the local Beef Plan Movement, she thanked Conal Tiernan and his fellow members for their hard work. She also highlighted the importance in getting young people involved in agriculture.

Cllr. Joe Murphy said the Elphin Show has never been as important as it is now due to the ongoing difficulties in the agricultural sector. He added that it was very important to support the Show and encouraged people to attend on August 31st.

His brother, Fianna Fáil TD Eugene Murphy said these are really difficult times for agriculture and claimed that there was “more respect in debates for cannabis than there is for beef”.

He added that meat was being “badly respected” and also thanked Conal Tiernan and the Beef Plan Movement for their recent support.

Vice-President of Roscommon Show, James Gleeson, said the Shows needed to work together during the current “awful crisis” before wishing the organisers the best of luck with their great schedule.

Noel McGoldrick, President of the Irish Charolais Society, said Elphin was “recognised as one of the best shows in the country” while Aidan Holohan of the Midland & Western Charolais Club thanked the committee for accepting the club’s class and looked forward to the event.

Padraig O’Connor from the Irish Angus Society agreed that farming was having a very tough year and said it would take a huge effort the agricultural community to keep going.

Roscommon Beef Plan Vice-Chairman, Conal Tiernan, also spoke at the launch and he said the group was 100% behind the show and that it was involved in a fight for the future of rural Ireland.

He said that recent protests weren’t just about farming but about rural Ireland adding that all rural services were under attack, adding that nothing would be achieved unless people talked and worked together.